WKU News

WKU recognized 34 students as Scholars of the College during Saturday’s undergraduate Commencement ceremonies.

Chad Coomer received the Ogden Foundation Scholar Award from Leigh Jones of the Ogden Foundation Board. (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)

Charles “Chad” Coomer of Louisville, who received bachelor of science degrees in biology and chemistry and is a graduate of the Honors College at WKU, was recognized as the Ogden Foundation Scholar. WKU’s top academic honor is presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement.

Coomer, the son of Don and Evell Coomer, has received a U.S. Student Fulbright grant to the United Kingdom to complete his master’s degree in infection and immunity at University College London. He has also been accepted into the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program, which will allow him to pursue a doctorate in virology at the University of Oxford while conducting HIV research at Oxford and the NIH. He also was the recipient of a prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship while at WKU.

Coomer, a music minor, was a violinist on the Symphony at WKU’s tour of China in 2013. He also was recognized as a scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering.

WKU recognized 33 other Scholars of the College, who had the highest GPAs in their colleges while completing at least 60 credit hours at WKU.

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences

• Sara E. Abell of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Mike and Lisa Abell.
• Jennay A. Dugan of Garfield, who received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Jack and Melonie Dugan.
• Carley D. Ferguson of New Haven, who received a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education. She is the daughter of Daniel and Carol Ferguson.
• Stephanie A. Gahafer of Sturgis, who received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of Carla and Stephen Gahafer.
• Melanie R. Kiefer of Louisville, who received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of John and Tracie Kiefer.
• Emily M. Scheper of Florence, who received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Bill and Michelle Scheper.
• Kayla M. Steber of Danville, who received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Duane and Julie Steber.

Ogden College of Science and Engineering

Sarah M. Schrader was among the Scholars of the College in the Ogden College of Science and Engineering. Schrader was WKU’s first finalist for the prestigious Rhodes, Marshall and Gates-Cambridge scholarships, and was a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)

• Kimberly J. Baugh of Russellville, who received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Michael and Angela Baugh.
• Joseph R. Duke of Elizabethtown, who received a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and is an Honors College graduate. He is the son of Joe and Cindy Duke.
• Clarice M. Esch of Somerset, who received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Joe and Carol Esch.
• Mary K. Greenwood of Edgewood, who received a bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Fred and Kathy Greenwood.
• Erin H. Reyes of Owensboro, who received bachelor of arts degrees in mathematics and middle grades mathematics and a bachelor of science degree in science and math education. She is the daughter of Kevin and Renee Reyes.
• Sarah M. Schrader of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of science degree in biology, a bachelor of science degree in chemistry, an Honors self-designed studies major and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Steven and Michelle Schrader.

Potter College of Arts & Letters

• Hannah R. Brantley of Salem, who received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Del and Betty Brantley.
• Nicholas A. Bratcher of Beaver Dam, who received a bachelors of arts degree in Spanish and religious studies and is an Honors College graduate. He is the son of Frances Leach.
• George E. “Trip” Carpenter III of Owensboro, who received a bachelor of arts degree in history and film and is an Honors College graduate. He is the son of Chip and Leslie Carpenter.
• Katherine S. Cook of Madisonville, who received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. She is the daughter of Marty and Tandy Cook.
• Anna Beth Gillon of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of arts degree in film and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Randy and Joan Gillon.
• James Ben Hussung of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies and is an Honors College graduate. He is the son of Steve and Lisa Hussung.
• Sharon R. Leone of Paducah, who received a bachelor of arts degree and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Sam and Connie Leone.
• Bliss D. Powers of Brandenburg, who received a bachelor of arts degree in English for secondary teachers and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Dan and Janet Powers.
• Penny L. Sprigg of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of arts degree in advertising. She is the daughter of Katherine Bentley and Wayne Sprigg.
• Ryan J. Vennell of Chatham, Ill., who received a bachelor of arts degree in broadcasting and is an Honors College graduate. He is the son of Kenny and Roxy Vennell.
• Scott A. Vennell of Chatham, Ill., who received a bachelor of arts degree in broadcasting. He is the son of Kenny and Roxy Vennell.

University College

• William Jarred Caswell of Clarkson, who received a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree. He is the son of Harold and Deborah Caswell.

College of Health and Human Services

• Alisha D. Dockery of Russell Springs, who received a bachelor of science degree in communication disorders. She is the daughter of Perry and Michelle Dockery.
• Dalana M. Henson of Dry Ridge, who received a bachelor of science degree in communication disorders. He is the daughter of Dennis and Sinda Henson.
• Elisabeth A. Lutz of Louisville, who received a bachelor of science degree in communication disorders. She is the daughter of Bob and Cheryl Lutz.
• Allison C. Riedling of Louisville, who received a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Craig and Delores Riedling.
• Mallory T. Scanlon of Louisville, who received a bachelor of science degree in design, merchandising and textiles. She is the daughter of Keith and Pam Scanlon.
• Krystal B. Young of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of science in nursing degree. She is the daughter of Greg and Glenda Young.

Gordon Ford College of Business

• Chad A. Koons of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of science degree in management and is an Honors College graduate. He is the son of Bill and Debbie Koons.
• Lindsay T. Thomas of Bowling Green, who received a bachelor of science degree in marketing and is an Honors College graduate. She is the daughter of Kevin and Christy Thomas.

Contact: Registrar’s Office, (270) 745-3351.